The Undergraduate Research Support Scheme (URSS) enables undergraduate students - including finalists - to carry out a summer research or public engagement project over the summer vacation. It's a great opportunity to lead your own project. The URSS helps develop valuable transferable skills, try out real life research, enhance your CV and career prospects, as well as building your confidence.
Applicants must get the support of a supervisor and can apply for a URSS bursary to undertake a research or public engagement project, either in the UK or abroad, for between 6-10 weeks. Please check the main Student Opportunity URSS webpagesLink opens in a new window for the most up-to-date information on bursary amounts, eligibility and project length, as this may change from year to year.
There are two types of projects you can apply to undertake:
Regardless of which of the following pathways you choose, the application should be completed in conjunction with your supervisor by the deadline set on the main URSS webpages.
I want to do a research project but it says I have to include public engagement - what does that mean and what could I do?
Learn more about each project type and where to learn more about public engagement
What is public engagement?
Public engagement is about talking to people outside of the university about the work that goes on here. That could be something you've learnt on your course, or a piece of research you or someone in your department is working on or has already produced. The idea is to have a two way discussion with the people you choose to engage with, so you make space not only to tell them about the work you're an expert in - but also to give them a platform to share their responses, thoughts and perspectives.
You would apply to run a public engagement project. You still need to find a supervisor to support you. The project would need to take place over the summer and should be the equivalent workload of undertaking a research project. These projects would usually aim to engage with the public about the subject you are studying, or another topic being researched at Warwick.
These projects would usually aim to engage the public with a topic being researched at Warwick or the subject you are studying. For example, by:
creating exhibition pieces or learning resources for a museum or gallery.
developing workshops and hands-on or digital learning resources for schools.
creating a zine or documentary.
collaborating on a piece of research with a community partner.
This list isn’t exhaustive – there are lots of other options.
URSS public engagement information session
Sign up to an information session to learn more about how to plan a public engagement URSS project.
This session will cover:
The differences between URSS public engagement projects and URSS research projects. (Please note that you should check the Student Opportunity URSS webpages for information and workshops on the latter type.)
What a URSS public engagement project could entail
Exploring public engagement ideas together
Next steps in the planning process
Useful contacts for advice or potential supervisors
To book your place, click on the name of the session you want to attend in the list below.
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Find a supervisor for a public engagement project
Any member of staff could supervise a public engagement project (they don't need to be an academic). Here are some ways of finding a supervisor.
Speak to one of your tutors or a member of staff in your department who works in an area that interests you.
Look at staff lists from other departments too - you don't have to be in the same department as your supervisor.
Visit the main URSS webpages for information on the application process and how your application will be scored.
Research Projects with a public engagement element
You would apply to run a research project, but this should include some element of public engagement. Your public engagement could happen alongside your project or take place in the Autumn term if you'd like to complete it after your research project has generated results. We would envisage this being a smaller activity than those running standalone public engagement projects.
What would a public engagement element look like within a URSS research project?
This depends on the research you're doing. It may be a blog post (or a series) about the research. It could be a set of social media posts (e.g. Twitter, Instagram, TikTok) about your subject, presented in a way that encourages responses. It could be a game, or an event for schools, or a TouTube video, or a collaboration with a community group, or something else. The only limit is your creativity!
In your application, please specify which of the following categories your public engagement will fit under:
Participate in an event led by Warwick Institute of Engagement.For this you might design a table-top activity, engagement stall or poster and we will put on an event in the autumn term that you could participate in. We will support students to prepare for the event through skills masterclasses with external experts, and support or preparation sessions with the event managers. See photos and descriptions of the 2023 event, Resonate Roadshow. Find out about how to participate.
Other live public event, e.g., talk, performance, activity. You or your supervisor might know of an event taking place outside Warwick that you’d like to participate in or know a school or community group who would like to hear your talk.
Online engagement, e.g., podcast, social media, blog. You could ask to post this on your department’s website or Twitter account or you might have your own online presence.
Working with partners, e.g., collaborative research, citizen science, working with policy makers.
Other – please specify. You are welcome to get in touch with Helen at to talk through your ideas if you'd like some advice before applying.
If you are a student or a supervisor looking for further advice or signposting to internal or external contacts regarding public engagement, please contact Helen Luckhurst at
Book onto an information session about public engagement projects:
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Support for research projects
This webpage is designed to give information and advice on public engagement within URSS, which is supported by the Warwick Institute of Engagement. For information on all other aspects of the URSS scheme, please visit the Student Opportunity URSS webpages and contact .
